Transfer feeder for forging press

Abstract

A transfer feeder for a forging press includes a pair of parallel feed bars each having article-grasping claws, the feed bars being able to make a three-dimensional movement (i.e., an advance-return movement of the feed bars in a longitudinal direction, a clamping-unclamping movement of the feed bars in a widthwise direction, and a lift-down movement of the feed bars) so as to feed forging workpieces from one step of a pressing process to another. The transfer feeder further includes lift-down devices each for making a lift-down movement relative to a corresponding transfer frame through a lift-down linear-movement mechanism, advance-return devices each for making an advance-return movement relative to a lift-down frame of the associated lift-down device through an advance-return linear movement mechanism, and clamping-unclamping devices each for making a clamping-unclamping movement relative to an advance-return frame of the advance-return device through a clamping-unclamping linear-movement mechanism. The advance-return devices respectively include advance-return drive portions which are provided adjacent respectively to opposite ends of the feed bars so as to feed the feed bars in the same direction in synchronism with each other. The lift-down devices, as well as the advance-return devices, and the clamping-unclamping devices, are mounted respectively within the transfer frames which are provided adjacent respectively to the opposite ends of the feed bars, and are disposed at a level higher than the feed bars.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A transfer feeder for a forging press comprising: a pair of parallel feed bars each having article-grasping claws, said feed bars being able to make a three-dimensional movement so as to feed forging workpieces from one step of a pressing process to another, and said three-dimensional movement including an advance-return movement of said feed bars in a longitudinal direction, a clamping-unclamping movement of said feed bars in a widthwise direction, and a lift-down movement of said feed bars;   lift-down devices each for making a lift-down movement relative to a corresponding transfer frame through a lift-down linear-movement mechanism;   advance-return devices each for making an advance-return movement relative to a lift-down frame of the associated lift-down device through an advance-return linear movement mechanism; and   clamping-unclamping devices each for making a clamping-unclamping movement relative to an advance-return frame of the advance-return device through a clamping-unclamping linear-movement mechanism;   wherein said advance-return devices respectively include advance-return drive portions which are provided adjacent respectively to opposite ends of said feed bars so as to feed said bars in the same direction in synchronism with each other;   wherein said lift-down devices, as well as said advance-return devices, and said clamping-unclamping devices, are mounted respectively within said transfer frames which are provided adjacent respectively to the opposite ends of said feed bars, and are disposed at a level higher than said feed bars; and   wherein each of said lift-down devices is mounted within the associated transfer frame so as to make the lift-down movement together with the associated advance-return device and the associated clamping-unclamping device, and said advance-return device is mounted within the associated transfer frame so as to make the advance-return movement together with the associated clamping-unclamping device, and each of the ends of said feed bars is connected to a clamping-unclamping frame of the associated clamping-unclamping device through a feed bar support rod and a sleeve fixedly secured to said feed bar support rod, and means for positioning said sleeve in an axial direction is provided on said feed bar, and axially-spaced flanges are formed on said feed bar, and opposite ends of said sleeve are spaced respectively from flanges, so that a small, axial gap is formed between each end of said sleeve and the associated flange, whereby said sleeve is moveable in the axial direction against said positioning means on said feed bar.